Three charged with abusing children

Three children abused over a two-year period in Minersville were forced to use a peanut butter jar to collect snow and rain from out of a window to get drinking water, authorities said.

The abuse of the siblings came at the hands of their father, Todd Richter II, 32, and his fiancee,

Jennifer Yost, 27, as well as the woman’s mother, Wendy Yost, 51, authorities said this week.

During their arraignments Thursday afternoon, District Judge David A. Plachko denied bail, calling the allegations against the three “the most serious, disturbing and heart-wrenching” that he has seen in his 30 years on the bench.

Richter was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of children and harassment.

Jennifer Yost was charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, unlawful restraint, endangering the welfare of children, false imprisonment and harassment.

Wendy Yost was charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of children.

The abuse came to light on March 10 when a 12-year-old boy was found walking on the street injured and in distress. The child reported he escaped his house and that his two siblings could still be inside.

Clink said the children looked pale, emaciated and appeared to be fearful. An 11-year-old boy had a semi-healed cut on his left wrist and a cut on his lip.

Based on comments made by the elder boy about an attic area of the home, a search was conducted and a strong odor of urine was evident, with a peanut butter jar that appeared to be filled with urine and a 5-gallon bucket that appeared to be liquid feces.

All of the items were in an area where the boy said that he and his siblings were held captive. The boy said he rarely gets to brush his teeth and gets to eat “once every couple days” and that it is usually “scraps” from meals.

At Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, physicians determined he had a long history of prolonged child abuse and child torture.

An 11-year-old reported being subjected to physical abuse, neglect and starvation and had scars over his chest, back and extremities. A 9-year-old girl was examined and showed similar signs of abuse and child torture.